THE WALL OF FACES

Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) was U.S. military advisors sent around the world to assist in the training of armed forces and facilitate military aid. In 1961, MAAG Laos was established to support the Royal Lao Armed Forces (FAR) in their fight against communist Pathet Lao. SGT Theodore J. Berlett was a Special Forces-qualified Combat Engineer serving with A Company, 7th Special Forces Group, MAAG Laos. On January 28, 1962, Berlett was conducting weapons training in Laos near Ban Nang Eun, approximately 18 kilometers (10.8 miles) northeast of Ban Mouang Cha, as part of Operation White Star, a covert counterinsurgency training operation conducted by the 7th Special Forces Group in the early 1960s. During a demonstration for FAR forces in the procedure for detonating 3.5” rocket launcher rounds, a premature detonation of the ammunition occurred. Berlett sustained fragmentation wounds to the right mid-chest resulting in fatal pneumothorax and hemothorax injuries. Berlett was 29 years old. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. May you rest in eternal peace.

DEAR SERGEANT BERLETT,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS A SPECIAL FORCES QUALIFIED COMBAT ENGINEER. IT IS 2017, WHICH MAKES IT FAR TOO LONG FOR YOU TO HAVE BEEN GONE. IT IS ALSO PRESIDENTS' DAY WEEKEND. WE APPRECIATE ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND YOUR SACRIFICE. WATCH OVER THE U.S.A., IT STILL NEEDS YOUR COURAGE.. GOD BLESS YOU. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS BE AT YOUR SIDE. REST IN PEACE.

SGT Theodore J. Berlett was a Special Forces qualified combat engineer serving with A Company, 7th Special Forces Group, Military Assistance Advisory Group, Vietnam (MAAGV). A paratrooper since 1951, SGT Berlett was killed on January 28, 1962, in a training accident at Moung Om Camp, Laos. Details of the accident were not reported to the press. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and “Sgt. Berlett Killed in Laos Accident.” Plattsmouth Journal (NE), February 5, 1962]

Dear SGT Theodore James Berlett, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter